Looking for sunshine, desert adventures, and culture in the Southwest? Head to Mesa! Located in the Greater Phoenix area, Mesa offers stunning desert hikes, ancient ruins, museums, and vibrant local eats. It’s perfect for families, art lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Mesa, AZ Highlights:
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Hike the Wind Cave Trail in Usery Mountain Regional Park – Trek desert trails with sweeping views and saguaro-studded landscapes.
- For Families: Explore the Arizona Museum of Natural History – Discover dinosaurs, Native American exhibits, and hands-on fun for all ages.
- For Water Lovers: Paddle or float at Saguaro Lake – Rent kayaks, take a scenic boat cruise, or swim in this desert oasis.
- For Culture Seekers: See a show at Mesa Arts Center – Enjoy concerts, theater, art exhibits, and classes in a stunning architectural venue.
- For Shoppers: Stroll and shop at Mesa Riverview – A lively outdoor mall with shops, dining, and entertainment.
When I like to visit Mesa, AZ
The best time to visit Mesa is from November to April when temperatures are mild and perfect for hiking, golfing, and sightseeing. Spring training season in March adds extra excitement for baseball fans.
Tips for getting to Mesa, AZ
- If you are traveling by car: Mesa is located just off US-60 and Loop 202, about 20 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
- By Plane: Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), or closer-in Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
- By Light Rail: Valley Metro Rail connects Mesa to Tempe and Phoenix, making car-free travel easy.
Where I like to stay in Mesa, AZ
- Recommended for Families: Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa – Downtown hotel with pool, on-site dining, and proximity to cultural attractions.
- For Couples: Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch – Rustic romantic escape near the Salt River, perfect for kayaking and horseback rides.
- For Budget Travelers: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Mesa Superstition Springs – Affordable comfort near shopping and dining with easy highway access.
Best Things to Do in Mesa, AZ
1. Mesa Arts Center
Located on East Main Street in downtown Mesa, the Mesa Arts Center is a 210,000 square foot center for performing arts as well as visual arts. Opened in 2005, it is the largest arts complex of its kind in Arizona and one of the top Mesa attractions. The center consists of four performance venues, including the 99-seat Farnsworth Studio Theater and the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater; five art galleries comprising 5,500 square feet of exhibition space for the Mesa Contemporary Arts center; and 14 performing and visual arts classroom studios.
Performances include Broadway shows and dance, drama, and music concerts. The center offers classes for adults and children such as field trips, school shows, and more. Mesa Arts Center is a great weekend destination.
One East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-644-6500
2. Usery Mountain Regional Park
Located on North Usery Pass Road, Usery Mountain Regional Park is a 3,648-acre park that offers camping locations, mountain biking and hiking trails, and scenic landscapes.
There are 73 campsites in the park, and these include hook ups, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and more.
There are more than 29 miles of trails in the park that can be used for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Trails range from short and easy to long and difficult and offer visitors stunning views of the area.
The park hosts many special events such as Archery 101, Full Moon Hike, Movie Night in the Park, and many more. If you are looking for things to do in Mesa, AZ with kids, this is a great place to visit.
3939 North Usery Pass Road, Mesa, AZ, Phone: 480-984-0032
3. Rose Garden at Mesa Community College
Roses do bloom in the desert. In the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College, more than 9,000 roses of 300 varieties bloom and thrive to the pleasure of visitors, tourists, students, and kids who come for a visit. This is the largest rose garden in the Southwest, and it is not only a beautiful garden to enjoy but also a study area and a botanic laboratory.
The garden was established in 1997 in a collaborative effort between Mesa Community College and the East Valley Mesa Rose Society. The garden depends on a large number of volunteers and donations for its maintenance and care.
There are some varieties of roses blooming almost any month of the year, but the best time to enjoy this magnificent garden is spring and fall when the vast number of roses in bloom create a riot of colors and the smell of open blooms is almost intoxicating.
1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-461-7022
Recommended Activities for Families
4. Hohokam Stadium
Hohokam Stadium, located on North Center Street, is a 12,500-seat baseball park in Mesa. It is also known as the Dwight W. Patterson Field, and was formerly called Hohokam Park. Completed in 1997, the stadium is named after the Hohokam people, Native Americans who lived in this area of Arizona from about 1 AD to approximately 1450 AD. The original stadium was built in 1976 and was the spring training stadium for the Oakland Athletics and later for the Chicago Cubs.
The 1997 stadium was renovated in 2015, and the Oakland Athletics now use it once again for their spring training.
1235 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-644-4451
5. Mesa Historical Museum
The Mesa Historical Society established the Mesa Historical Museum in 1987, and it is located in the 1913 building that originally served as a school. Its auditorium was added in 1930 as a project of the Works Progress Administration. The museum building and the auditorium are listed on the National Register of Historic places.
The museum’s permanent collection contains a large number of objects that depict the history of Mesa, including a very good replica of an early adobe school. The museum also has a comprehensive collection of early agricultural tools. Three galleries host changing exhibits such as Hidden Mesa: Rediscovering the West and Come Fly With Us! Celebrating Thirty Years of the Boeing Company in Mesa.
2345 N Horne, Mesa, AZ 85203, Phone: 480-835-2286
6. Arizona Museum of Natural History
Located on North MacDonald, the Arizona Museum of Natural History exhibits displays related to the culture, habitat, and history of the Southwestern United States. It was founded in 1977 as a small museum in the Mesa City Hall, a historic building dating from 1937. Over the years as the museum’s collection grew, the building was expanded and now contains 74,000 square feet.
About 46,000 square feet are used for exhibitions that display the collection of 60,000 objects relating to the anthropology, art, cultural history, and natural history of the area. The museum also holds 10,000 historic photographs. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum mounts several temporary exhibits.
53 North Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-644-2230
7. Temple Visitors' Center
Mesa Arizona Temple is a LDS Church temple famous for its unique architecture, beautiful gardens, a stunning holiday light display and a nativity scene. Mormon missionaries at the visitors' center are available to answer questions about the temple grounds and the gardens. The annual Mesa Easter Pageant is held in March, letting visitors experience the story of Jesus Christ through music and dance.
Temple Visitors' Center, 525 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-964-7164
Attractions for Couples
8. Silver Star Theatre
Rivaling several Las Vegas dinner theatres, the Silver Star Theatre in Mesa offers a full calendar of very special productions each year. The theatre boasts tiered seating so that every audience member has a clear view of the stage. In addition, you can expect state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment to enhance your experience. The theatre hosts around 14 shows each season, covering all genres from Rock ‘n Roll to Country, Pop to Blues and Jazz to Big Band. In addition to their long list of music concerts they also host a very popular Murder Mystery Dinner Show and several Comedy shows. Of course, every show comes with a delicious dinner.
Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85205, 480-244-0300
9. Commemorative Air Force Museum
The Commemorative Air Force Museum is an aircraft museum located on North Greenfield Road. The museum was founded in 1978 with a donation of a World War II era B-17G aircraft named Sentimental Journey, and the first permanent hangar was built in 1985. As the number of aircraft grew, additional space was required, and a second building was constructed in 2003, giving the museum more than 30,000 square feet of exhibition and facility space.
The museum displays many aircraft as well as World War II artifacts and memorabilia. In addition to offering tours, the museum hosts many events and can be rented for special occasions.
2017 North Greenfield Road, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-924-1940
10. Mesa Market Place Swap Meet
Located on East Baseline Road close to the Superstition Mountains, the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet is a large outdoor marketplace with vendors, live music in a food court, and more. Possibly the largest market place in Arizona, there are 900 merchants in 1,600 shops along a mile and a quarter of covered and handicap accessible shopping avenues.
If you are wondering what to do in Mesa with kids, this is a great place to visit. Both locals and tourists enjoy shopping, walking around, and people watching while sampling the food at the food court and at the snack bars. Live entertainment is performed in the food court and the market hosts events such as a Car Show Event and much more.
10550 East Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona, Phone: 480-380-5572
Where I Like to Eat in Mesa, AZ
- Recommended for Families: Organ Stop Pizza – Enjoy pizza and a musical show from the world’s largest Wurlitzer organ.
- For Southwestern Cuisine: T.C. Eggington’s – Popular brunch spot serving creative breakfast and lunch dishes with regional flair.
- For a Casual Meal: Worth Takeaway – Artisan sandwiches, craft beer, and cozy modern vibes in downtown Mesa.
My favorite local events:
- For Baseball Fans: Cactus League Spring Training (February–March) – Watch MLB teams like the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s warm up in the sun.
- For Families: Merry Main Street (December) – Holiday lights, ice skating, and family fun downtown.
- For Art Lovers: Mesa Music Festival (Spring) – Free performances from emerging musicians across multiple stages.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Mesa, Arizona:
- For Desert Views: Superstition Mountains (30 min) – Hike the legendary trails or visit Lost Dutchman State Park.
- For History Buffs: Goldfield Ghost Town (25 min) – Explore an Old West mining town with tours, gunfights, and gold panning.
- For Nature Lovers: Desert Botanical Garden (30 min) – Located in nearby Phoenix, this garden showcases Sonoran Desert plants.
- For Boating: Salt River Recreation Area (25 min) – Kayak, float, or spot wild horses along this scenic river corridor.
- For Art Enthusiasts: Tempe (20–25 min) – Visit the ASU Art Museum or enjoy Mill Avenue shopping and nightlife.
- For Thrill Seekers: Golfland Sunsplash (10–15 min) – Water slides, mini-golf, and arcade games for all ages.
Plan Your Trip